Published: 10:00 am, 5 October 2026
L-R Clockwise: Judge Hacker (Image: DLT Entertainment UK Ltd), Maddie & Triggs (Image: Turnip + Duck/RTÉ), Gladiators: Epic Pranks (Image: Hungry Bear TV Media), Animal Allsorts (Image: Owen Davey/Maramedia)
This slate is a brilliant example of the breadth and creativity we want children and families to find at the BBC. From trusted favourites they already love to bold new ideas and characters, we’re investing in distinctive, home-grown, high-quality content that entertains, inspires and connects with children at every stage of growing up, ensuring the BBC continues to play an important role in their lives.
— Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education
BBC Children’s and Education announces a new slate of commissions across CBBC, CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, bringing together much-loved returning favourites and exciting new programmes for children and families.
For 7+ audiences, Hacker T Dog takes charge of his very own courtroom in brand-new comedy entertainment format Judge Hacker, while Deadly 60 returns for an eighth series with Steve Backshall embarking on more ambitious wildlife adventures. Gladiators: Epic Pranks is also back for a third series with a new twist that puts kids in control, alongside a new series of Horrible Histories and brand-new animated adventure Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians, set in a hyper-connected future.
On CBeebies, young football fans can get back in on the action as Football Fantastics returns for a third series, while BeddyByes returns with more gentle adventures for MeMo and BaBa, and Maddie & Triggs is back for more magical, musical adventures around Higgledy-Piggledy.
Spanning comedy, wildlife, entertainment, sport and factual programming, the new slate brings big laughs, bold adventures and engaging stories for children and families across the UK.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “This slate is a brilliant example of the breadth and creativity we want children and families to find at the BBC. From trusted favourites they already love to bold new ideas and characters, we’re investing in distinctive, home-grown, high-quality content that entertains, inspires and connects with children at every stage of growing up, ensuring the BBC continues to play an important role in their lives.”
HG
CBBC
Judge Hacker
Judge Hacker (Image: DLT Entertainment UK Ltd/BBC)
Order! Order! Judge Hacker is a brand-new (15×4’) comedy entertainment format in which children and grown-ups finally get justice for the everyday ‘crimes’ that normally go unpunished. Not content with his role on Blue Peter, the cheeky canine gets his own show, crammed with gags, games and celebrity guests. Hacker T Dog, performed by Phil Fletcher, presides over cases alongside lawyers Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass, delivering his verdicts and suitably fitting punishments. Judge Hacker is produced and distributed by DLT Entertainment UK Ltd for CBBC and will launch in early 2027.
Deadly 60
Deadly 60 is back for an eighth series, with Steve Backshall taking on some of his biggest adventures yet. Filmed across Japan, India, Thailand and Australia, Steve tracks swamp tigers in the Sundarbans, searches for giant salamanders in Japan, encounters Bangkok’s mischievous monitor lizards and dives with great white sharks in Australia, in a high-octane series packed with Deadly firsts.
Gladiators: Epic Pranks
Gladiators: Epic Pranks (Image: Hungry Bear TV Media/BBC)
Gladiators: Epic Pranks returns for a third series, and this time kids are calling the shots. They’ll choose who deserves to be pranked before teaming up with Nitro and the Gladiators to catch unsuspecting family, friends and teachers off guard, alongside Halloween and Christmas specials, behind-the-scenes action at Sheffield Arena and three special watch-along episodes. This hugely successful spin-off from the main Gladiators show is made by Hungry Bear TV Media for CBBC and iPlayer.
Horrible Histories
The award-winning hit comedy sketch show Horrible Histories returns for a stonking Season 12, with specially themed episodes about the original Gladiators and history’s greatest Traitors. To mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, there’s a celebration episode in his honour, in partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as episodes featuring The Saxons, the French Revolution and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Look out for grisly and gory stories, plenty of laughs, and some surprise celebrity cameos. Produced by Lion TV for CBBC and iPlayer.
Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians
Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians (Image:A Productions/Scrawl Animation/BBC)
Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians is a brand-new animated adventure that takes viewers into the Network, a parallel digital world hidden within the hyper-connected city of New Avalon. When teenager Chrissie develops extraordinary new powers, she and Bella are drawn into a battle against hackers, viruses and a sinister entity threatening the city. Packed with action, humour and high-stakes adventure, the series is produced by A Productions, with Scrawl Animation as production partner.
Climate Change and Me: Future Council
Climate Change and Me: Future Council (Image: Together Films/BBC)
Climate Change and Me: Future Council follows eight children on an epic mission to understand the planet’s predicament, explore solutions and take the conversation into the boardrooms of some of the world’s biggest companies to challenge them to do better. Directed by Damon Gameau and produced by Together Films, the inspiring and humorous film will air on 9 November on CBBC and BBC iPlayer.
Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning 7+, BBC Children’s and Education, said: “Young audiences deserve programmes that are bold, entertaining and full of ideas, while reflecting the things they’re interested in and care about. This slate brings together brilliant home-grown creativity across comedy, animation, entertainment, wildlife and ambitious factual storytelling, offering children distinctive programmes and experiences they won’t find anywhere else.”
CBeebies
BeddyByes
BeddyByes (Image: JAM Media/BBC)
BeddyByes has been commissioned for a second series, returning in spring 2027. Made by JAM Media, the series is designed specifically to take young children on a gentle, undulating journey that reinforces the familiar evening and bedtime routine. MeMo and BaBa encounter fantastical beings along the way, encouraging good nutrition, mindfulness and creativity while helping young viewers wind down towards sleep.
Football Fantastics returns to CBeebies for a third series in Summer 2027 (10 x 15’), with more family football fun, comedy, songs and adventures in The Den. The Fantastics welcome new teammates and tackle everything from dinosaurs and pirates to a robot goalkeeper, in stories celebrating confidence, friendship and teamwork. Ella Toone, Declan Rice, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo make appearances, while Jill Scott returns with Jill’s Skills, teaching a new football skill in every episode. The series is produced by Strike.
Maddie & Triggs
Maddie & Triggs (Image: Turnip + Duck/RTÉ/BBC)
Maddie & Triggs returns for a second series (52 x 7’), with seven-year-old Maddie and her mischievous dog Triggs embarking on more magical, musical adventures around Higgledy-Piggledy. Featuring new places, songs and special guests, including the voice of Siobhán McSweeney, each episode is available as both an animated adventure and audio-first podcast, designed for sighted and vision-impaired children to enjoy side by side. Episodes 1-26 will air from mid-2027.
Animal Allsorts
Animal Allsorts (Image: Owen Davey/Maramedia/BBC)
Animal Allsorts (30 x 5’) is a brand-new animated series from Glasgow-based Maramedia. Using stunning imagery from the award-winning books by renowned artist Owen Davey, the series taps into the love that young children have for collecting and sorting things, especially animals. Whether you are passionate about penguins, crazy about crocs or mad about monkeys there’s so much to sort in the world of animals. The series is due to launch in 2028.
Tiny Tunes
Tiny Tunes returns for a series of Christmas episodes (10 x 5’) in 2026. This brilliantly inclusive series again features deaf children on screen as part of the regular cast, as presenter Lisa Kelly leads them in a celebration of the magic of Christmas, British Sign Language, and singing together. In each episode three new signs are introduced, giving children the opportunity to learn and use BSL alongside the festive songs and simple Christmas craft activities.
Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies said: “Our focus at CBeebies is on creating content that supports children through those important early years, bringing together entertainment, learning and emotional development in ways that feel joyful and engaging. This slate builds on that ambition with trusted characters, inclusive storytelling and imaginative experiences that encourage children to play, listen, learn and explore, while giving families high-quality content they can enjoy together.”
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